Apparatus for exercising a person&#39;s arms

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 2 ) for exercising a person&#39;s arms ( 4 ), which apparatus ( 2 ) comprises a length of flexible material ( 6 ), a handle ( 8 ), and a gripping sheet ( 10 ) for gripping the length of flexible material ( 6 ), and the apparatus ( 2 ) being such that one end ( 12 ) of the length of flexible material ( 6 ) has a retainer ( 14 ), the handle is a cylindrical handle ( 8 ) having a longitudinal axis, the retainer ( 14 ) connects the length of flexible material ( 6 ) to the handle ( 8 ) such that the length of flexible material ( 6 ) extends from the handle ( 8 ) in line with the longitudinal axis of the handle ( 8 ), the length of flexible material ( 6 ) is of a length which enables the person ( 24 ) to exercise at least the biceps ( 30 ) and triceps ( 32 ) of their arms, and the length of flexible material ( 6 ) is a length of an extendable material ( 6 ).

This invention relates to exercise apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for exercising a person's arms.

There are many different types of known apparatus for exercising a person's arms. Usually a person is interested in exercising at least the biceps and triceps of their arms. The known apparatus may be free standing in the nature of dumb-bells or a bar with weights. Alternatively the known apparatus may be in the nature of a floor mounted machine. Irrespective of what type of apparatus is involved, the apparatus is usually best suited for use in a gym. If the apparatus is used in the home, it tends to become too bulky and/or too heavy for easy storage when not in use.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide apparatus for exercising a person's arms, and which apparatus is convenient for home use.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for exercising a person's arms, which apparatus comprises a length of flexible material, a handle, and gripping means for gripping the length of flexible material, and the apparatus being such that:

-   -   one end of the length of flexible material has retainer means;     -   the handle is a cylindrical handle having a longitudinal axis;     -   the retainer means connects the length of flexible material to         the handle such that in use the length of flexible material         extends from the handle in line with the longitudinal axis;     -   in use the handle is gripped in one hand of the person, and the         end of the length of flexible material remote from the handle is         gripped in the other hand of the person;     -   in use the person uses the gripping means to grip the end of the         length of flexible material remote from the handle;     -   the length of flexible material is of a length which enables the         person to exercise at least the biceps and triceps of their         arms; and     -   the length of flexible material is a length of an extendable         material.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that it is light, small, and easy to use. The apparatus is easily stored after use. The apparatus enables the person to exercise both their biceps and triceps. In addition the apparatus may be used in various other ways if desired in order to enable the person to exercise other parts of their arms, for example their forearms.

The apparatus may be one in which the handle has a bore which extends axially through the handle, and in which the length of flexible material enters the handle from a first end of the handle, extends along the bore, and exits the handle from a second end of the handle.

The apparatus may be one in which the extendable material is an elastic material. The elastic material may be a rubber material or a plastics material. The extendable material may alternatively be a coil spring.

The length of flexible material is preferably a length of tubing. If desired however the length of flexible material may be a length of solid material rather than having an axial bore as in the case of tubing.

Preferably, the retainer means releasably connects the length of flexible material to the handle. The releasable connection may be advantageous for enabling the apparatus to be dismantled when not in use, for example for sale by mail order, or simply for storage after use. Alternatively, the retainer may permanently connect the length of flexible material to the handle.

The retainer means may fit into the bore in the handle. Alternatively, the retainer means may fit to other parts of the handle, for example to an end clip part of the handle.

For all embodiments of the invention the retainer means may be an abutment means.

When the handle has the bore, and when the retainer means is the abutment means, then the apparatus may be one in which the bore has a first bore portion of a first diameter, a second bore portion of a second and smaller diameter, and a shoulder which separates the first and second bore portions, and in which the abutment means abuts the shoulder as the length of flexible material is pulled.

The abutment means may comprise a ring portion which extends radially outwardly beyond the remainder of the abutment means.

The abutment means may be a sleeve abutment means which extends around the length of the flexible material.

The apparatus may be one in which the handle comprises a rigid inner cylinder, and a rubber grip sleeve positioned over the rigid inner cylinder. Preferably, the rubber grip sleeve is made of a foam rubber material. The foam rubber material may be comfortable to grip. The foam rubber material may help the person to maintain their grip on the handle during exercising. Materials other than foam rubber material may be employed. Other constructions for the handle may be employed. The rigid inner cylinder may be made of a plastics material or a metal.

The gripping means is preferably a sheet gripping means. The sheet gripping means is preferably a square sheet gripping means but it may be of other shapes if desired. The sheet gripping means is preferably made of a material having a first side and a second side, and in which the first side is of a texture for gripping the length of flexible material better than the second side. The second side may be more comfortable to grip than the first side. The sheet gripping means may be made of another type of material if desired. Other types of gripping means than sheet gripping means may be employed so that, for example, the gripping means may be a glove-type gripping means. The glove-type gripping means may be one which fits over a thumb of a hand of the user, and over at least a part of the adjacent palm of the hand of the user.

The apparatus may be one in which there is more than one length of flexible material, with each length of flexible material being of a different and increasing extendable strength whereby the person is able to use the handle with lengths of flexible material of different strengths for progressively increasing the difficulty of the exercise.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows first apparatus for exercising a person's arms, with the apparatus being shown in use;

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 prior to use;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show how the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is assembled for use as shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6-8 show how the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used by a person to exercise their biceps;

FIGS. 9-11 show a first way in which the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used by a person to exercise their triceps;

FIGS. 12-14 show a second way in which the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used by a person to exercise their triceps;

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a third way in which the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used by a person to exercise their triceps;

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a fourth way in which the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used by a person to exercise their triceps;

FIG. 19 shows part of second apparatus of the present invention and for exercising a person's arms;

FIGS. 20-21 show part of third apparatus of the present invention and for exercising a person's arms; and

FIGS. 22-24 shown an alternative gripping means to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown apparatus 2 for exercising a person's arms 4. The apparatus 2 comprises a length of flexible material 6, a handle 8, and gripping means 10 for gripping the length of flexible material 6.

The apparatus is such that one end 12 of the length of flexible material has retainer means in the form of abutment means 14. The handle 8 is a cylindrical handle 8 having a longitudinal axis 15. The handle 8 has a bore 16 which extends axially through the handle 8. The abutment means 14 connects the length of flexible material 6 to the handle 8 such that in use the length of flexible material 6 enters the handle from a first end 18 of the handle 8, extends along the bore 16, and exits the handle 8 from a second end 20 of the handle 8. Thus the length of flexible material 6 extends from the handle 8 in line with the longitudinal axis 15 of the handle 8.

In use of the apparatus 2, the handle 8 is gripped in one hand 22 of the person 24. The end 26 of the length of flexible material 6 remote from the handle 8 is gripped in the other hand 28 of the person 24.

The person 24 uses the gripping means 10 to grip the end 26 of the length of flexible material 6 remote from the handle 8. The length of flexible material 6 is of a length which enables the person 24 to exercise at least the biceps 30 and triceps 32 of their arms 4.

The length of flexible material 6 is a length of an extendable material. More specifically, the extendable material is an elastic material in the form of a rubber material. The length of flexible material 6 is a length of tubing. The tubing thus has a through bore 34.

The abutment means 14 releasably connects the length of flexible material 6 to the handle 8. The abutment means 14 fits in the bore 16 in the handle 8.

The abutment means 4 is a sleeve abutment means as shown in FIG. 2. The abutment means 14 extends around the length of flexible material 6. The bore 16 has a first bore portion of a first diameter, and a second bore portion of the second and smaller diameter. A shoulder separates the first and second bore portions. The abutment means 14 abuts against the shoulder as the length of flexible material 6 is pulled. As shown in FIG. 2, the abutment means 14 is a ring portion 36 which extends outwardly beyond the remainder of the abutment means 14.

The handle 8 is a tube. More specifically, the handle 8 comprises a rigid inner cylinder 38, and a rubber grip sleeve 40 positioned over the rigid inner cylinder 38. The rubber grip sleeve 40 is made of a foam rubber material. The rubber grip sleeve 40 may be made of a different foam material. The rigid inner cylinder 38 may be made from a plastics material or a metal.

As best seen from FIG. 2, the gripping means 10 is a sheet gripping means 10. The sheet gripping means 10 is a square sheet gripping means 10. The sheet gripping means 10 is made of a material having a first side and a second side, and the first side is of a texture for gripping the length of flexible material better than the second side.

The apparatus 2 as shown in FIG. 2 is able to be assembled by first passing the length of flexible material 6 through the handle 8, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The sheet gripping means 10 is then wrapped around the length of flexible material as shown in FIG. 5. The apparatus 2 is then able to be used as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6-8 show how the apparatus 2 is able to be used by the person 24 for performing what is known as a biceps curl. The biceps curl enables the person 24 to exercise their biceps 30. FIG. 6 shows the person 24 holding the handle 8 in the lower hand 22, and gripping the length of flexible material 6 using the gripping means 10.

FIG. 7 shows the person 24 raising their right arm to perform the biceps curl. The biceps curl uses the same motion as the person 24 would employ using a dumb-bell and performing an exercise known as the hammer curl.

FIG. 8 shows the person 24 having moved their right arm 30 back to the starting position. The person's biceps 30 in their right arm 30 may be exercised by doing as many repetitions in as many sets as required and appropriate. In order to exercise the biceps 30 in the left arm of the person 24, the positions shown in FIGS. 6-8 are basically reversed. Thus the lower hand is then the hand 28, and the upper hand which grips the length of flexible material 6 via the gripping means 10 is the hand 22. The person 24 may choose to exercise their left and right biceps 30 alternatively at the end of each set, or the person 24 may choose to exercise their left and right biceps by completing all required sets for a bicep workout on one arm, and then repeating everything for a biceps workout on the other arm.

FIGS. 9-11 show the person 24 exercising their triceps 32 in an exercise known as a triceps press. The person 24 holds the handle 8 away from their body and pulls the length of flexible material 6 downwardly using the gripping means 10.

FIG. 12-14 shown the person 24 exercising their biceps 32 in an exercise known as an across body triceps press. The person 24 is shown holding the handle 8 away from their body.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the person 24 exercising their triceps 32 in an exercise known as the backward triceps press. The person 24 holds the handle 8 as shown and straightens their arm 4 as shown.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the person 24 exercising their triceps in an exercise known as an overhead triceps press.

In all of the FIGS. 9-18, the person 24 is exercising the triceps 34 in their left arm. It will be appreciated that the person 24 holds the apparatus in their opposite hands in order to exercise the triceps 34 of their right arm.

FIG. 19 shows part of second apparatus 42 of the present invention. Similar parts as in the apparatus 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

In the second apparatus 42, the handle 8 has the bore 16. The bore 16 is shown having a first bore portion 44, and a second and smaller bore portion 46. The first and second bore portions 44, 46 are separated by a shoulder 48. The shoulder 48 is concave as shown and it receives the outer convex surface of the abutment means 14. The bore 16 has an internal thread 50 which receives an external thread 52 on a cap 54. The cap 54 is thus able to close the bore 16 and give the handle 8 an overall neat appearance. The cap 54 may have a serrated peripheral edge 56 and/or a slot (not shown) in its upper surface 58 to receive a coin or the like, both in order to enable easy undoing of the cap 54.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show part of third apparatus 60 of the present invention. Similar parts as in the apparatus 2, 42 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. FIG. 20 shows the illustrated part of the apparatus 60 being assembled. FIG. 21 shows the illustrated part of the apparatus 60 in its assembled condition.

In the apparatus 60, the handle 8 has a bore of a constant diameter. The length of flexible material 6 has retainer means in the form of clip retainer means 62 having a clip 64. The clip 64 is connected through an aperture 70 in an end 72 of a post 74 forming part of, or attached to, the cap 54.

The handle 8 in the apparatus 60 is such that it has a flange 76 for facilitating the maintenance of a grip on the handle 8 during use of the apparatus 60.

FIGS. 22-24 show part of fourth apparatus 78 of the present invention. More specifically, FIGS. 22-24 show gripping means which is an alternative to the gripping means 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The gripping means 80 is shown being worn on a left hand 82 of the person 24.

The gripping means 80 comprises a body portion 84. A thumb portion 86 extends away from the body portion 84 as shown. The thumb portion 86 receives a thumb 88 of the person 24. The body portion 84 has a grip portion 90 which extends part way over the palm 92 of the person's left hand 82. Straps 94 are provided as shown for assisting in retaining the gripping means 80 in position on the left hand 82. The straps 94 may be elasticated straps, or they may alternatively be otherwise adjustable in length for ensuring a good grip on the left hand 32 during use of the gripping means 80.

All of the illustrated apparatus 2, 42, 60, 78 is simple to use, light and easily stored. The lightness is advantageous in enabling the apparatus 2, 42, 60, 78 to be sold by mail order. The apparatus 2, 42, 60, 78 is also inexpensive to manufacture, which enables the apparatus to be sold competitively at a relatively low price when compared with known apparatus for use by a person in exercising their biceps and triceps.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the illustrated apparatus 2, 42, 60, 78 may have parts shaped other than those shown. For example, the handle in the apparatus could be a solid cylindrical handle rather than one having a through bore. The sheet gripping means 10 could be rectangular instead of being square. The retainer means could be a clip retainer means, or a retainer means which permanently connects the length of flexible material to the handle. The length of flexible material may be solid rather than having the through bore 34. The apparatus 2, 42, 60, 78 may be used in different ways to exercise parts of the person's arms 4 other than their biceps 30 and their triceps 32. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. 

1. Apparatus for exercising a person's arms, which apparatus comprises a length of flexible material, a handle, and gripping means for gripping the length of flexible material, and the apparatus being such that: one end of the length of flexible material has retainer means; the handle is a cylindrical handle having a longitudinal axis; the retainer means connects the length of flexible material to the handle such that in use the length of flexible material extends from the handle in line with the longitudinal axis of the handle; in use the handle is gripped in one hand of the person, and the end of the length of flexible material remote from the handle is gripped in the other hand of the person; in use the person uses the gripping means to grip the end of the length of flexible material remote from the handle; the length of flexible material is of a length which enables the person to exercise at least the biceps and triceps of their arms; and the length of flexible material is a length of an extendable material.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the handle has a bore which extends axially through the handle, and in which the length of flexible material enters the handle from a first end of the handle, extends along the bore, and exists the handle from a second end of the handle.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the extendable material is an elastic material.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the elastic material is a rubber material or a plastics material.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the length of flexible material is a length of tubing.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the retainer means releasably connects the length of flexible material to the handle.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the retainer means fits into the bore in the handle.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the retainer means is an abutment means.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the bore has a first bore portion of a first diameter, a second bore portion of a second and larger diameter, and a shoulder which separates the first and second bore portions, and in which the abutment means abuts the shoulder as the length of flexible material is pulled.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the abutment means comprises a ring portion which extends radially outwardly beyond the remainder of the abutment means.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the abutment means is a sleeve abutment means which extends around the length of flexible material.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the handle comprises a rigid inner cylinder and a rubber grip sleeve positioned over the rigid inner cylinder.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the rubber grip sleeve is made of a foam rubber material.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the gripping means is a sheet gripping means.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which the sheet gripping means is a square sheet gripping means.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which the sheet gripping means is made of a material having a first side and a second side, and in which the first side is of a texture for gripping the length of flexible material better than the second side.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which there is more than one length of flexible material, with each length of flexible material being of a different and increasing extendable strength whereby the person able to use the handle with lengths of flexible material of different strengths for progressively increasing the difficulty of the exercise. 